Making An Investment In Education

HEATHROW — Lake Mary Heathrow Festival of the Arts Board Chairman Joanne Bourg still is receiving thank-you notes from last year's student scholarship recipients. Like a proud mother, she saves each one.

One letter, by $1,000 scholarship winner Bonwon Koo, reads: ''The scholarship that was given to me was not just the money itself, but it brought hope and happiness to my school, teachers, family, friends and all others who helped me throughout my school years.''

Koo, who spoke no English when she came to Florida from South Korea as a small child, graduated this year from Lake Brantley High School with a 4.0 grade-point average.

Providing money for education is one of the main purposes of board members who work year-round in preparation for the two-day art celebration.

Students' exhibited works are not eligible for contests that bring thousands of dollars in prize money to the older artists.

But the young artists have the opportunity to earn money for their education while their wares are displayed in the Student Art Tent.

The festival board sponsors an admissions program for all 47 county schools. If every student sells one or two tickets to the show, more than $100,000 could be returned to the schools, Bourg said.

Other money raised is divided into scholarships that can be used to pay for college or vocational training. Many of the scholarships are sponsored by area businesses, including Target Stores and AAA.

After long hours of organizing the nationally recognized festival, true payoff for board members comes about six months later, Bourg said. She visits each high school in the spring to hand out scholarships. Students with good grades are the first in line, she said.

''All you hear about is the bad kids, but there are ones who work so hard to reach for the stars,'' Bourg said. ''It gives everyone hope.''

Bourg, 71, was one of the founding members of the festival arts board in 1987.